KSUM's Innovation Festival shifts focus beyond startups and tech
The programming here is being shaped in part by Maatam, a Kochi-based collective working at the intersection of design, sustainability, and storytelling.
'The future of sustainability is through technology. But, of course, we want to showcase to all, especially those who push at the limits of technology, what's possible, even if it's small-scale,' says Visakha G Raj of Maatam.
'At the end of the day, you don't need to be a brand or a business to participate in climate action. You could be someone who composts, someone who repairs clothes, etc. That's also design thinking. That's also innovation,' she adds.
In addition, two discussions are also planned. Titled 'What Can I Do?' and 'What Can We Do?', these bring together climate communicators, renewable energy practitioners, behavioural design experts and community architects to explore both individual and systemic responses to climate concerns.
'We've done product demos, pitch sessions, and investor meets. We'll continue to do those,' said a senior KSUM official. 'But there's growing interest among founders and students alike to understand how their work connects to the bigger picture.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Godrej Properties acquires 34 acres land in Vadodara
NEW DELHI: Mumbai-based Godrej Properties (GPL) has acquired 34 acres of land in Vadodara . The development on this land will primarily comprise of plotted residential units and will offer an estimated saleable area of nine lakh sq ft. This marks GPL's second land acquisition in Gujarat in the last one year. Earlier, in October 2024, the company had acquired a three-acre parcel in Vastrapur, Ahmedabad. The company recently acquired a 48-acre land parcel through outright purchase in Doddaballapur, Bengaluru. The development on this land will primarily comprise of plotted units with a development potential of 1.1 million sq ft.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Amid Trump tariff fears, Aurobindo strikes biggest deal; To acquire Lannett for Rs 2185 crore
Hyderabad: Amid rising fears of US President Donald Trump imposing tariffs on Indian pharma imports, Aurobindo Pharma is making its largest acquisition with a 100% stake in Lannett Company from US-based complex generics manufacturer Lannett Seller Holdco Inc for a total enterprise value of $250 million (approx. 2,185 crore) on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The acquisition, to be done through Aurobindo's wholly-owned US subsidiary Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc, will enable the company to expand its manufacturing footprint in the US, Aurobindo Pharma said in a regulatory filing. The Hyderabad-based company said the transaction aligns with its strategic objective to expand its US manufacturing footprint. Lannett has a 4.24 lakh sq ft cGMP (current good manufacturing practices) facility at Seymour in Indiana with a capacity to make around 3.6 billion tablets per annum. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The plant has the capability to manufacture not just tablets but multiple dosage forms, including capsules, liquids, and powders. Aurobindo said Lannett's US-based facility has significant excess capacity and offers potential for further expansion. Lannett's plant has a strong regulatory and DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) compliance track record and has built strong expertise in non-opioid controlled substances, mainly in ADHD (attention-deficit, hyperactivity disorder) therapeutics, as well as generic liquids. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo Apart from giving a manufacturing facility in the US, the deal will also give Aurobindo access to a complementary portfolio of profitable products as well as a growing contract development and manufacturing organisation business, it added. "The acquired product portfolio is primarily focused on non-opioid controlled substances, particularly in ADHD therapeutics in which Aurobindo currently has a limited presence. This acquisition strengthens Aurobindo's ability to serve the US generics space and provides strategic diversification into a specialised high-value therapeutic category," Aurobindo Pharma said. The transaction is expected to be completed in 8-12 months and is subject to US Federal Trade Commission approval in addition to other statutory and govt approvals. Though Aurobindo is acquiring Lannett Company Inc, the company will undergo a re-organisation to become Lannett Company LLC before Aurobindo acquires it. Lannett Company clocked a turnover of $306 million (approx. Rs 2674 crore) in the financial year 2024-25. The Lannett acquisition is Aurobindo Pharma's largest buy after its plan to acquire Sandoz's US dermatology and generic oral solids businesses for $1 billion in 2018 fizzled out because they could not secure approval from the US FTC in a timely manner.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
T flags Rs 100 cr fake invoice fraud to Maha
Hyderabad: In a major move to curb tax fraud across state lines, the Telangana commercial taxes department has decided to formally notify the Maharashtra govt about the large-scale GST input credit scam involving fake invoices and empty vehicle shipments , a racket suspected to have siphoned off over ₹100 crore in taxes. At the heart of the scam is a Hyderabad-based company that issued high-value tax invoices for copper supplies to a company in Maharashtra, but with no actual movement of goods. According to preliminary findings, vehicles were dispatched empty from Telangana, while documentation falsely showed substantial consignments being transported. The fraudulent scheme revolves around the use of bogus input tax credit, one of the most common and damaging forms of GST fraud. These schemes typically involve shell or paper-only companies that issue invoices for goods or services that were never actually supplied, allowing colluding firms to illegitimately claim input tax credit from the govt. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad How the scam worked The operation followed a layered method of deception. A Hyderabad company generated fake invoices for copper goods, billing a Maharashtra firm without delivering any actual materials. The receiving company in Maharashtra then claimed to have paid 18% GST and sought input credit based on that fabricated transaction. The scam didn't end there. The Maharashtra firm recycled the fraud, issuing its own set of fake invoices to a third company, again falsely claiming to have supplied goods and paid tax. This chain of deceit allows each party to benefit from tax credits on taxes never actually paid, creating significant revenue losses for the govt. Vigilance intensified Commercial taxes commissioner K Haritha emphasised the expanding scope of the department's crackdown. "We are increasing vigilance regarding companies that create fake invoices or claim fraudulent input credits. Typically, this type of scam involves a chain of companies," she said. "We previously focused on identifying firms within our state, but now we will inform state govts about companies participating in this crime. If vigilance is heightened across all states, such fraudulent activities will decrease," she added. Big push against GST fraud Hyderabad: Since April 25, the commercial taxes department has stepped up enforcement and uncovered 304 fake GST cases. In these, ₹170 crore in fraudulent input tax credit was blocked, notices worth ₹49.7 crore were issued and ₹8.36 crore has already been recovered.
